Hunter
05/24/22
The Iowa City Truth and Reconciliation Commission says their attempt to find a facilitator is up in the air after three local groups put the effort on hold.
The Press-Citizen reports that Angie Jordan with Banjo Knits Empowerment told the City Council last week that they want to remain local and engaged through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s effort to bring healing to the area, and have halted the current proposal due to budgetary concerns.
The TRC has been trying to get approval for a facilitator to guide the group. The newspaper says the latest estimate was $584,700 to hire Kearns & West for a 12-month period, in partnership with national nonprofit ThinkPeace, and Iowa City-based Astig Planning, Banjo Knits and the Mediation Services of Eastern Iowa.
It was also reported that a group of Native Americans sent an email to Kearns & West, indicating that they might be breaking off from the original group.
Jordan told the newspaper that the TRC is pausing because part of the proposal is not in alignment and they’re trying to get everyone on the same page. She didn’t say whether local partners still want to be a part of the Kearns & West proposal, but says having an outside perspective is important.